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Old 11-19-2016, 07:22 PM   #1
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Rim inquiry

We just returned from a nearly 3-month trip, equating to more than 8,000 miles on our new 5th wheel (purchased in July). Prior to leaving we upgraded our 15-inch OEM trailer tires to 16-inch 14-ply truck tires (in mid-August, and we left on the trip August 26). We went with aluminum rims that could take the weight and PSI of the new tires.

But 200 miles from returning home we discovered our rims were cracking! Two have severe cracks and the other two have hairline cracks. The rig wasn't overloaded, and again we made sure to match up the rims and tires appropriately. We made it home and contacted the company we bought the rims from (the rims have lifetime warrantees). We can return the rims for new ones, but we're afraid to go with the same rims. We think the bending and bowing that goes with maneuvering the rig into place may have caused the rims to stress and crack.

What type of rims would be recommended for a 5th wheel? The GVWR of the 5W is just over 12,000 pounds. The tires are Goodyear G614 RST 16-inch tires with PSI of 110 (we run them at 100) and the axles are 6-spoke, so we'd need rims with 6 spokes. Pros and cons of aluminium, alloy, or steel rims?

Thanks in advance!
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Old 11-19-2016, 07:28 PM   #2
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Where are the cracks appearing at, can you post some pictures of them. How was the wheel offset determined when they were replaced? Was a torque wrench used to tighten the lug nuts?
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Old 11-19-2016, 07:39 PM   #3
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These are two of the bad cracks on one of the rims.
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Old 11-19-2016, 07:43 PM   #4
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The lug nuts were tightened per manufacturer specs (not over-tightened and we monitored them during the trip), and how would offset be determined other than charts? We measured and it was double checked for us prior to ordering and installation.
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Old 11-19-2016, 08:22 PM   #5
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What brand of wheel?
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Old 11-19-2016, 08:26 PM   #6
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Wow that certainly is cracked I can understand why you d not want to replace with the same wheels. I hate saying do a search on google for measuring wheel off set I got a ton of hits by doing it and the explain actions are so much better tha I could do, there even done utube so about it.

With that much of a curve towards the bottom on a spoked wheel the wrong off set could easily over load the wheel compared to a disk type wheel with holes.

Wheel Offset and Wheel Backspacing

Tires - New Sized Tires
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Old 11-20-2016, 04:34 AM   #7
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I use 0 offset on trailers.
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Old 11-20-2016, 08:07 AM   #8
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Get away from a cast wheel and go to a forged wheel like an Alcoa.
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Old 11-20-2016, 12:27 PM   #9
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Sorry for delay. Thank you all for the replies.

The wheels are at zero offset.

We are considering steel rims. Had them on two previous rigs and never had problems. This is our first with aluminum and not impressed.

Wondering if Alcoa quality is as good as they used to be now that production has moved. Thoughts?
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Old 11-20-2016, 12:28 PM   #10
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Oh, and the brand is HiSpec.
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Old 11-20-2016, 02:16 PM   #11
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I have had HiSpec aluminum wheels on my 17800lb Suites for 8 years without a problem. I would try the offered replacements, if they will pay for all shipping and remounting. Perhaps a different design? Are you working thru a local dealer, or off the internet/ebay?
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Old 11-20-2016, 04:08 PM   #12
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Really, wingnut60? I wonder why these went out. Granted we did tow more than 8,000 miles in those 3 months, including the horrible roads of Indiana, Illinois, and Arkansas. We're working with eTrailer. We did find another design on eTrailer that appears to be rated for the weight, tires, etc, and they're also HiSpec aluminum.
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Old 11-20-2016, 05:16 PM   #13
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I use high spec 17.5s no issue at 110psi.
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Old 11-20-2016, 08:35 PM   #14
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Mine are also 17.5s, and they have been to Alaska twice--probably have close to 70-80000 miles on them. However, mine are a more 'normal' wheel design, not spoked.
eTrailer has a good rep, I am sure they will take care of you--just because you have been over some rough roads, and lots of miles, that shouldn't have happened.
Certainly, I would elicit a statement, in writing, that eTrailer will stand behind any damage caused if the replacements break while towing.
Good that you noticed this before it caused damage.
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